Debates of May 31st, 2013

Suicide Prevention

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, each November men across Canada grow moustaches and raise funds for prostate cancer research.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Canada. Overall, though, males face a higher risk of death by suicide than by prostate cancer. However, we do not talk about that. If our society is uncomfortable discussing suicide, how can we effectively prevent it? We need to break this stigma. The question is, how?

The collateral damage project captures photographs of Canadians touched by suicide and presents a story of how they recovered and turned their experience into something positive. It encourages dialogue by letting Canadians know they are not alone.

I ask Canadians to visit www.leftbehindbysuicide.org to learn more about this project. Every Canadian will be touched by suicide in their lifetime. Most will feel their experience is unique and that no one shares their pain. We need to talk about suicide, because not talking about it is not working.

Scoliosis

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, June 1 has been declared Scoliosis Awareness Day in Ottawa.

It is important to raise awareness and lessen the stigma around scoliosis, which is prevalent in girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 15, and which often makes the difficult teen years even more difficult to cope with, as I know first-hand in my role as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects people of all races and socio-economic classes. In the majority of cases, we do not know the cause. Early detection provides scoliosis patients with the most options for slowing down or halting the progression of the curve, thereby often avoiding surgery.

In the spirit of girl power, Curvy Girls support groups were created throughout the world. These groups are peer-led and empower girls to become leaders, make healthy choices and improve their self-esteem by diminishing the emotional impact of scoliosis through shared experiences.

I want to invite everyone here to join Curvy Girls of Ottawa tomorrow at their second annual scoliosis awareness walk in Stanley Park.

As I physician, I encourage all young women and their parents to talk to their doctors about scoliosis.

Kristina Norstrom

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to observe the tragic loss on May 29 of Alberta wildlife biologist Kristina Norstrom, killed in an accident in northern Alberta.

The Alberta public service and scientific community have lost a friend and respected colleague. Sadly, helicopter pilot Bryce Campbell was also killed. Also on board was fellow biologist and colleague Simon Slater, currently recovering in hospital from serious injuries.

This tragedy occurred when the helicopter crashed south of Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta. The biologists were tracking threatened woodland caribou populations.

Kristina worked as a wildlife biologist stationed out of Athabasca and was engaged in tracking caribou. I am told she was an extremely dedicated and confident professional who truly made a difference in wildlife conservation and protection. She was well respected by her colleagues and will be deeply missed.

The dedicated work of our wildlife biologists, scientists and support staff all too often places them in perilous situations. It is important that we recognize and value that sacrifice made on all our behalf and for the species they seek to protect.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time.

Michael Wassill

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, Michael Wassill was going about his day in Orleans when an intruder wearing rubber gloves and carrying box cutters entered his family home.

The intruder had been stalking a young woman who was then sheltered by the Wassill family. Mike stepped between the intruder and the young woman to protect her. He took a slash to the throat.

Unfortunately, the tremendous efforts of professionals at the Montfort and Civic hospitals were in vain. Mike died trying to protect someone. He put others before himself.

His death was as tragic as that of Dapo Agoro, late of Blackburn Hamlet, who was murdered in similar circumstances 10 years ago.

I was with his family on Wednesday, and my wife attended his funeral yesterday. This brave family is devastated.

Like many families in the region, Mike's purpose was one of public service.

When his father, René, heard the terrible news, he was serving his country in Jordan.

I ask all members to join me in telling Mike's family and friends how saddened we are about the loss of a brave son and friend.

Summer Events in Vaudreuil-Solanges

[Jamie Nicholls, NDP, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, too many people are unaware that Félix Leclerc lived in Vaudreuil for 20 years.

On June 15, the fourth annual family picnic will be held at the former home of Félix Leclerc. The purpose of the event is to remind people of all ages of the importance of this great man to Quebec and to help preserve the historic Maison Félix-Leclerc. Admission is free.

A number of activities are planned, including a presentation by students from Marguerite-Bourgeoys school. The theme of the presentation is “Moi et mes souliers”—the title of a Félix Leclerc song. Local artist Monica Brinkman will also create a mosaic.

Just down the lake road, Hudson's StoryFest welcomes Michael Ondaatje this year.

The Hudson Village Theatre's 21st summer season will be starting on June 12 under the artistic direction of Heather Markgraf. The 2013 season features four great Canadian live plays for the whole family to enjoy.

I am looking forward to these activities. All members should come along and we will have a chat in Jack Layton Park and enjoy the summer in Vaudreuil--Soulanges.

SAR Tech Fatalities

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart for the family, friends and members of the Ornge ambulance team as emerging details reveal we lost four of Canada's best.

Late last night, Ornge's helicopter went down between Moosonee and Attawapiskat.

As a nurse on countless medical evacs and relying on teams like the four who perished, I appreciate their work. They are dedicated to making sure Canadians living in our isolated and remote communities in the vast region of northern Ontario are picked up and transported safely almost without exception, no matter the weather or the time of day.

In this case the Ornge Sikorsky helicopter was reported missing at 1:11 a.m. this morning. Canadian Forces search and rescue assets were dispatched swiftly. Our SAR techs parachuted onto the crash scene and confirmed the fatalities at dawn.

I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to this tragic loss of these four lives and those who take such particular risks to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians across this immense country.

We share their loss. Our hearts are with their family and friends.

Iran

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday parliamentarians launched Iran Accountability Week with the Iranian political prisoner global advocacy project, pairing parliamentarians with Iranian political prisoners on whose behalf we began our advocacy this week.

Parliamentarians also heard witness testimony, which recommended the importance of sanctions targeting not only the Iranian nuclear program but human violators as well; pursuant to the Special Economic Measures act, sanctioning members of the Iranian revolutionary guard corps for their human rights violations; listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization under the Criminal Code; and exposing the fraudulence of the upcoming Iranian presidential elections wherein two of the candidates have themselves been indicated for terrorist acts.

Together we will stand in solidarity with the people of Iran, let them know that they are not alone and let them know that the repressive dictatorial regime will be held to account.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[LaVar Payne, Conservative, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is in over his head. Time and time again he has proven to Canadians that he does not understand what our national interests are. He has declared that Quebecers are better than Albertans and that Canadians who speak just one of our two national languages are lazy.

When asked by media in Quebec for his views on Senate reform, he stated that there should be no reform because it benefits us. The Liberal leader's own member of the caucus, the member for Bourassa, stood in his place on Wednesday and declared that we should stop pitting the regions against each other. Even the Liberal leader's own caucus is ashamed of his attempts to divide Canadians and our national interests.

We agree with the member for Bourassa that Canadians should not be pitted against each other, and other leaders in the House should defend the national interests of all Canadians both at home and abroad. Unfortunately, the Liberal leader does not understand our national interests and is in way over his head.

Conservative Government of Canada

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

After the Prime Minister's now famous response, “I do not understand the question”, to the Leader of the NDP, the Conservatives changed their tactics yesterday to avoid answering any questions about the Duffy case.

Yesterday, they did not even pretend that they did not understand our simple questions. They instead used the old Conservative tactic: in case of doubt, resort to intimidation or insults.

They went so far that artists who were this year's winners of the Governor General's Award and who were present for question period, left in disgust because of the insults hurled their way by none other than the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Canadians deserve better than a government that hurls insults at people when it is mired in scandals. They deserve a transparent and honest NDP government.

In the meantime, we wonder who the Conservatives will insult today.

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the New Democrats claim to be for strong action against tax evaders, yet they knowingly appointed a tax evader as their critic for national revenue. The NDP ethics critic said that the member for Brossard—La Prairie met with the Ethics Commissioner and he had worked out a deal.

Shockingly, this is not the only time that the New Democrats have covered for tax evaders. A second MP owes tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and they hid it from Canadians. The New Democrats' cover-up for tax evaders shows that they want tougher tax rules for everyone else but the NDP.

The NDP leader has yet to explain why he felt that the member for Brossard—La Prairie's unpaid taxes made him the best person to represent it on the tax cheats file.

Ethics

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, the Prime Minister had this to say about the Senate expense scandal and the Mike Duffy affair: “...we all spoke of this as soon as the story was in the news.”

Early media reports did not include information about the $90,000 cheque.

Who in the Prime Minister's Office was responsible for this file?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has already said that he found out about this after the story broke in the media. He already answered that question very clearly.

However, the NDP leader has not yet answered the real question. He was aware of a bribery attempt. He decided to hide it for 17 years. Had he disclosed the information, corruption that happened in Laval and Montreal could have been avoided.

Why did he not report it?

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, did the Prime Minister participate in discussions about Senate expenses with members of his staff before May 14?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, as we have already stated, the Prime Minister found out about it after the media broke the story. The moment he was aware of the payment, he disclosed all of the facts.

The NDP leader, on the other hand, hid the fact that he was offered a bribe. Had he let the authorities know, corruption in Laval and Montreal could have been avoided.

Why did the NDP leader hide it?

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, all they are doing is showing that they do not want to answer a simple question about covering up a scandal.

Senator David Tkachuk confirmed that he talked to Nigel Wright and other people in the Prime Minister's Office about the Senate expenses report.

Who were those other people?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, she says that she still does not understand the answer we have given, but we have given the same answer from the very beginning. The Prime Minister learned of the payment after it was reported in the media. He has been very clear on that ever since.

The NDP leader has not been clear on why he kept secret and covered up an offered bribe. Bribes are crimes. Covering up bribes is a serious ethical breach. Imagine all of the corruption in Montreal and in Laval that we could have avoided if the NDP leader had done the honourable thing and told the police about the crime of which he was aware

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on May 17, after learning of the $90,000 payment to Mike Duffy, the Prime Minister spokesperson said:

The prime minister has full confidence in Mr. Wright and Mr. Wright is staying on.

Why did the Prime Minister change his mind?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wright has taken sole responsibility for his decision. He offered his resignation to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister accepted it.

By contrast, the leader of the NDP has been aware of two of his senior critics trying to avoid their taxes. One of them is the heritage critic, who attempted to introduce a private member's bill that would absolve him from his tax liability. The other, amazingly, was his revenue critic. That is not the kind of leadership that Canadians expect.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, again, no answer.

Yesterday, on CBC's Power & Politics, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment said:

The prime minister himself [came out and] expressed deep regret for appointing Mike Duffy.

However, he has not said so publicly.

Would the government confirm that this is the view of the Prime Minister?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been very clear that any expenses that were inappropriate should be repaid.

In fact, he told Mike Duffy that in February.

The Prime Minister said something else. Let me quote:

Anyone who wants to use public office for their own benefit should make other plans, or better yet, leave this room.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we know that there is documentation related to the Duffy affair because emails are being leaked every day.

Will the government release all the documentation related to Mike Duffy's fundraising activities for the Conservative Party and the public funds used to carry out this ploy?

Canadians are demanding it.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, an independent investigation is under way, and we are going to respect that process.

Meanwhile, a senator is trying to hide $1.7 million in an offshore banking account so that she does not have to pay taxes, yet Canadians have to pay their taxes.

Why has the Liberal leader not contacted this senator to inform her that she has to pay taxes here in Canada?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after almost two weeks, Conservatives continue to withhold all the documentation related to the PMO ethics scandal. Canadians are not going to believe the government until they see proof. Polls suggest that only 13% of Canadians believe the Prime Minister of Canada is telling the truth on this affair. Will the government release the documents that the Liberals have requested under access to information and do so immediately?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we will respect the independent examination that the House and Senate ethics officers are undertaking separate from this government.

However, that does not answer the question for the leader of the Liberal Party. He has in his Senate caucus today a senator who is the beneficiary of a tax haven, an off-shore tax account, with $1.7 million contained in it. Canadians are forced to pay their taxes here in our country. They expect the very same thing from Liberal senators. Why will the Liberal leader not make it so?

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, given all the past cover-ups, Canadians are not ready to give the Prime Minister and his PMO the benefit of the doubt on the Wright-Duffy issue. They want to see all the documents themselves.

Now we learn that the Prime Minister's former director of communications did not pay all of his taxes when he worked there. How is this possible, when PMO staff have taxes deducted at source? Did Mr. Soudas have a side deal, like Mr. Duffy, to get extra income from the Conservative Party? What is going on in the PMO?